African Americans & Kidney Disease

African Americans stand a greater risk of developing kidney disease than other races. According to the National Kidney Disease Education Program, African Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney failure than whites. Even more troubling is that African Americans comprise 12 percent of the population, but account for 32 percent of the nation's cases of kidney disease. If you are an African American, it is important to understand not only the warning signs of kidney disease, but also what risk factors predispose you to the condition.

Identification

• According to the Mayo Clinic, kidney failure is defined as a loss of the organs' ability to function. The kidneys eliminate waste, fluid and salt from the blood, acting as your body's filtration device. If your kidneys stop working, these dangerous substances build up in your blood. If left untreated, kidney failure can cause permanent damage to your body and can even be fatal.

Significance

• According to the National Kidney Foundation, African Americans are at greater risk for kidney disease than whites because they are more prone to heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, all of which can lead to kidney disease. More than 13 percent of African Americans older than 20 have diabetes, according to the NKF, which is the leading cause of kidney disease.

Misconceptions

• Unfortunately, many African Americans are unaware of what causes kidney disease, which ultimately leads to kidney failure. In a poll conducted by the National Kidney Disease Education Program, only 17 percent of the people polled knew kidney failure was a consequence of diabetes, while only 8 percent recognized high blood pressure as a cause. More education is needed to prevent kidney disease.

Potential

• According to the NKF, the incidence of kidney disease and kidney failure in African Americans continues to rise steadily. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease in African Americans. However, according to the NKF, it is not known why African Americans are more prone to developing high blood pressure than whites.

Prevention/Solution

• Besides knowledge, African Americans need to see their doctors regularly and be screened for factors that can lead to kidney disease. In many cases, people with kidney disease require dialysis or an organ transplant to survive. To prevent kidney disease, people should have regular blood and protein screenings, as well as regular blood pressure checks.